Loggins and Messina
This duo featured Kenny Loggins (b. 7 January 1948, Everett, Washington, USA), and Jim Messina (b. 5 December 1947, Maywood, California, USA). Following his premature departure from Poco, Jim Messina intended to resume his career as a record producer, a role he had previously carried out by producing the final Buffalo Springfield album, LAST TIME AROUND. Songwriter Loggins, who had recently experienced success when the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band took his whimsical song House At Pooh Corner into the US charts, was signed by CBS and was introduced to Messina who was now a staff producer. This started a partnership which lasted six years and produced numerous gold albums. By combining country rock with hints of Latin, Mexican and R&B, the duo hit upon a strong formula. All nine albums reached high US chart positions and spawned a number of hit singles including Your Mama Don't Dance and My Music. As seasoned performers, their regular tours of North America made them a major attraction during the first half of the '70s. Following an amicable split, Loggins embarked on a solo career that eclipsed the major success he had enjoyed with Messina. He co-wrote What A Fool Believes with Michael McDonald (a US number 1 for McDonald's Doobie Brothers), and teamed up with Melissa Manchester to write Whenever I Call You Friend, another US Top 10 hit. Numerous hits followed until Loggins hit a peak with Footloose. This soundtrack topped the US album charts for almost three months while the single of the same name stayed on top for three weeks and made the Top 10 in the UK. He maintained his Midas touch by writing and singing Danger Zone, the theme to the Tom Cruise movie Top Gun. While Loggins' triumph continues unabated, Messina, following two moderately successful albums, instigated the reformation of the much-loved Poco in 1989 to considerable acclaim.